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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

E. A. WIBLE.

DRAW BRIDGE. No. 250,027. Patented Nov. 22,1881.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

E. A. WIBLE.

DRAW BRIDGE.

Patented Nov. 22,1881.

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ilwrrnn STATES PATENT Genres.

ELIAS A. WVIBLE, OF BRIGHTON, CALIFORNIA.

DRAW-BRIDGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 250,027, dated November 22, 1881.

Application filed August 19, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELIAs ALEXANDER WIBLE, of Brighton, county of Sacramento, and State of California, have invented certain usefulImprovementsinDraw-Bridges,ofwhich the following is a specification.

The objectof my improvements is to construct a draw-bridge which can be readily operated, and will be equally balanced and self-sustained when partially or wholly opened,in a manner to relieve the main bridge from lateral strain and rack.

The inventionjconsists in aldouble draw composed of two hinged sections operated simultaneously by cogged segments, in a system of bracing whereby the weight is equally divided and balanced, and in certain other features of construction for effectively obtaining the object named, all as hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a draw-bridge embodying my improvements, shown partially open. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the bridge closed. Fig. 3 is a plan view, in section, on line 00 or of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is an inverted plan view, showing the inner ends of the swinging section.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

At A is the head of the bridge or pier, at

which the swinging sections of the draw are hung, and at B is the pier on which the sections rest when closed. As shown, the superstructure of the pier A consists of longitudinal string-pieces a a, strengthened by side trusses, I) b. At theend next to the draw-opening posts 0 c are firmly secured, preferably by mortising into the top chords of the trusses b, and they may be placed directly above the cross-plate on which the outer ends of timbers a rest, or they may be, as shown, set back, so that the full width of opening shall be given when the draw is open.

0 O are the swinging sections of the bridge, which are of similar construction, and consist of longitudinal timbers d d, connected by cross timbers, and titted with the struts e and braces f, so as to form inverted trusses of great strength and stiffness. At the inner end and bar or plate, I, connects the upper hinges and upper ends of the posts 0. The rear ends of sections 0 are titted with quadrant-shaped arms or extensions m m, the outer edges of which are curved from the centers on which the sections swing, and are formed with cogs that interinesh. With one cogged segment a pinion, a, that is on a vertical shaft, 0, engages. The sh aft 0 is suitably fitted and formed at its upper end for receiving levers, whereby it is to he turned, the sections 0 being thus simul taneousl y operated.

To the segments hi there are connected cables m m, which are crossed and connected respectively to the inner end of one segment and outer end of the other, so as to bear on the outer surfaces of the segments at all times, and insure the simultaneous movement of the swinging sections. These cables may be used in addition to or as a substitute for the cogs, and to prevent misplacement of the cables the outer surfaces of the quadrants are grooved or fitted with grooved plates for the cables.

To prevent lateral play of the segments and ridingofthe cogs, there are fitted on the bridge timbers a short braces a, (shown in Fig. 4,) carrying friction-wheels b, that bear on the outer edges of the segments at, so that they are prevented from separation.

The outward swing of the sections 0 is limited by buffer-blocks p, which may be upon the sections, or, as shown, upon the timbers a. of-the pier. As an additional stay for the same purpose, and to prevent undue strain on the lever-hinges, a chain, q, is connected to the inner ends of the sections 0 in such man nor that it becomes taut when the sections are fully open, and thus receives the shock. This stay-chain loops down when the sections are closed.

At the inner ends and under sides of the sections 0 there are fitted resting-blocks r 1*, that are tapered to pass upon the cross-plates of the pier when the draw closes, so as to sup port the swinging sections. The outer ends of the sections at the same time pass upon the cross-plates of the other pier, so thatthe hinges are thus relieved from strain when the bridge is fully closed.

At intervals on the inner timber, d, of one section O there are fitted tongues s, and the timber of the other section is provided with mortises t, that receive the tongues s. The tongues s are notched at theirouterends, which project beyond the mortises when the bridge is closed, and keys or wedges u are fitted for movement by a lever, 11, to engage the tongues, so that the two sections are thus securely lo cked in their closed position and are mutually supporting.

\Vith this construction the two sections of the swinging draw can be simultaneously opened by hand or other power. \Vhen partially or wholly open they balance each other, and thus relieve the pier from lateral strain.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. The combination, in a draw-bridge, of two hinged sections fitted to swing in opposite directions and having their inner ends connected to insure simultaneous movement, substantially as shown and described.

2. The combination of the swinging drawbridge sections 0, provided with intermeshing cogged segments m, substantially as shown and described.

3. The hinges k and brace-rods h i, in combination with the draw-bridge sections 0 and pier A, provided with posts 9 c, substantially as shown and described.

4. The stay-wheels b, in combination with the curved extensions m of the swinging drawbridge sections 0, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. The cogged segments m and stay-cables m, combined with the swinging draw-bridge sections 0, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. The stay chain or cable q, in combination with the swinging draw-bridge sections 0, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. Tlielocking-tongues s and wedges orkeys a, in combination with the swinging drawbridge sections 0, substantially as shown and described.

8. The pinion n, shaft 0, and cogged seg men ts m, combined with the hinged draw-bridge sections for giving them simultaneous movement in opposite directions, substantially as shown and described.

ELIAS ALEXANDER WIBLE.

\Vitnesses:

Janus GoMP'roN, WILLIAM PRINGLE. 

